Jim Harbaugh Identifies Minnesota Game Standouts, Talks Dax Hill Status

Michigan redshirt sophomore Viper Michael Barrett passed the eye test during his first start in a Wolverines uniform, all over the field in a 49-24 road victory over Minnesota.

It was as impressive on film as it was in person, head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Monday. In fact, he was the player of the game for both the defense and special teams, the first time that's happened since Jabrill Peppers wore the uniform.

"Michael Barrett in his first start was also lights out, on defense and special teams," Harbaugh said. "... [Senior end] Kwity Paye was also outstanding; [junior end] Aidan Hutchinson. I saw a stat where our pass rush was the highest-graded group in the country. A lot of really good play.

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"[Fifth-year senior defensive tackle] Carlo Kemp, as well, was really good. [Linebackers] Josh Ross and Cam McGrone played extremely well, [senior safety] Brad Hawkins is playing great football. Hunter Reynolds came in did a nice job when Dax [Hill] came out. [Redshirt sophomore linebacker] Ben Van Sumeren, talk about hustling. The guy was flying around."

Now they know where they are defensively and where they can continue building and getting better, Harbaugh continued, adding he expects sophomore Daxton Hill — who missed half the game with an undisclosed injury — to be fine and return to practice Tuesday or Wednesday in preparation for Saturday's game with Michigan State.

While there were some warts, including too many yards given up to Mohamed Ibrahim in the running game, Harbaugh seemed confident the group would get better. He also liked the cornerback play from redshirt sophomores Vincent Gray and Gemon Green.

"Vince Gray played really well, graded out really well, high 80s or low 90s, and so did Gemon," Harbaugh said. "Two really talented players, long corners. That's a really tough job, man to man. They also got in on some tackles, really acquitted themselves really good.

"There was really good intensity in practice between offense and defense. Very competitive; very talented players on both sides of the ball. There were a lot of great things we saw in practice that showed up in the game. I obviously loved the plus-two in turnovers, our defense creating the havoc plays with five or six sacks plus an interception and a touchdown score by the defense. I loved that."

On offense, senior Ben Mason dominated at times after a block "straight out of the Blind Side [movie]," Harbaugh noted, one that drew a costly flag. He atoned with an incredible showing the rest of the way. Harbaugh said he counted five to eight times Mason, one of the offensive players of the game with the rest of the running backs, put defenders on their backs.

Mason also gave the pregame speech that motivated the team, and it was a great one, mainly directed at redshirt sophomore quarterback Joe Milton.

"He was tremendous ... the holes he created," Harbaugh said. "The first block was a tremendous, tremendous block on a tremendous player, their best linebacker.

"Ben Mason kind of called up the team pregame, asked if he could say something to the team. What he said was, 'Joe, this is your night. We're going to block, catch, do everything in our power to make you successful.' It was a very passionate speech. The point is, there have been a lot of guys that make speeches in the history of football. It's easy to make the speech, but maybe a dozen or so who go out and do what they said they were going to do in the speech. Just a tremendous game by No. 42."

The offensive line, too, played extremely well, led by redshirt sophomore right tackle Jalen Mayfield. He and fifth-year senior center Andrew Vastardis were the two linemen of the game if he had to choose, Harbaugh said, and redshirt junior Andrew Stueber wasn't far behind.

"Pass protection and run blocking was outstanding," Harbaugh continued. "Another unheralded player, Jalen Mayfield, was lights out. He played a tremendous game in pass protection. I can't think of any pressures. He was blocking, moving people. Vastardis was really, really good ... they were so motivated to play, emotionally involved in the game. It was really tremendous."

The left side graded out well, too, with redshirt sophomore Ryan Hayes and redshirt junior Chuck Filiaga handling their business, and they all played well together, Harbaugh said.

Overall, he couldn't have been much more pleased, knowing there's still room for improvement and a chance to take another step with a rivalry win over Michigan State Saturday.

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